Child Neglect

Neglect is the most prevalent and least studied form of child maltreatment in the United States. In Illinois, a staggering 82.7% of proven child maltreatment cases in 2008, involved at least one form of neglect. What constitutes neglect varies widely. Indeed, identifying minimum standards of care and determining the intentionality of parental behavior are extremely difficult tasks that must include consideration of a vast array of parenting styles, cultural norms, and economic factors if consensus it to be reached on these questions. Furthermore, how does one accurately quantify the effects that neglect has upon children? These issues aside, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System defines neglect as:

“A type of maltreatment that refers to the failure by the caregiver to provide needed, age-appropriate care although financially able to do so or offered financial or other means to do so.”